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Update on Sessions' Visit

April 19, 2019

Dear Members of the Amherst Community,

In last week’s message, I said I would provide the community with an update on the invitation extended to former Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, by the College’s Republican Club. The club has confirmed that Mr. Sessions has accepted its invitation to speak at Amherst next week. The visit is supported by funding donated to the club by external sources and by the Young America’s Foundation, which is the event’s sponsor. The republican club members are event hosts. The College has responsibility for security, as it always must, and has decided that the event will be open only to Amherst College faculty, staff, and students. It will be a ticketed event with one ticket per Amherst College ID. ID’s will be checked at the door.

Conflicts on Campus

April 11, 2019

Dear Members of the Amherst Community,

A number of events, some interrelated, some not, have occurred on our campus that fall short of the standards of mutual respect, decency, and ethical behavior that we expect of each other. Furthermore, the response to these incidents has, in some cases, had the effect of escalation. Neither reason nor generosity have made enough of an appearance.

Response to Common Language Document

March 22, 2019

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

My email inbox and the conversations I have had over the past forty-eight hours are ample proof that we do not need an executive order to ensure freedom of speech or diversity of viewpoints on our campus. Faculty, staff, and students in this community have responded to the common-language document circulated on Wednesday with a wide range of views. Taken as a whole, the responses show the complexity of the issues and a desire to work through them together. Academic institutions do not need edicts to appreciate the value of expression.

Statement from President Biddy Martin, Amherst College

March 20, 2019

Creating a sense of belonging on a campus is difficult and complicated work. It is also vital to student success and the success of the entire community. I know of no educational institution that would claim to have succeeded completely in the effort. Missteps are inevitable.

The “Common Language Document” produced by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and circulated yesterday at Amherst takes a very problematic approach. The document defines terms in an effort to assist people in talking with one another about their identities and positions. The motivation of those who generated the definitions is understandable. They were responding to questions from people who wanted to know better how historically underrepresented groups and individuals think about their identities and positions.

Announcement about Amherst's Accreditation

February 7, 2019

Dear Members of the Amherst Community,

I am pleased to report that we have received word from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which was previously known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), that Amherst’s accreditation has been continued. The report of February 1, 2019, is the final finding of NECHE for this round of accreditation and is available online. In accordance with its regular policy, NECHE has scheduled Amherst for an interim review in the spring of 2023 and for a comprehensive evaluation in the spring of 2028.

On November 16, 2018, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights published a new set of proposed Title IX regulations. During the ensuing 60-day public comment period, many institutions of higher education, including Amherst, chose to submit comments. Some of you may have filed your own comments on the proposed changes.

The College is committed to a fair and effective process by which to address sexual harassment and discrimination. We carefully reviewed the proposed regulations. Ultimately, the College supports some of the proposed regulations but has serious concerns about others.

In addition to the time it will take for the Department of Education to review and respond to comments, there is a possibility of delays caused by legal challenges to the proposed changes. Hence, it may be some time before any new regulations take effect. We will keep you updated on ramifications for our campus community.

Important Announcement on Our Climate Action Plan

January 29, 2019

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

I am pleased to share the news that the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the College’s Climate Action Plan at its meeting last weekend. The plan provides a roadmap for the College to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Here is the statement from board chair Andrew J. Nussbaum ’85.

Important Announcement from Hampshire College

January 15, 2019

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

This morning President Miriam Nelson announced to the Hampshire College community that Hampshire’s current operations cannot be sustained over the long term. She also announced that Hampshire may not admit a new first-year class this spring and seeks a partner that will help make the college’s mission and vision financially viable.

Letter from President Martin to the Amherst Community

Oct. 23, 2018

Dear Members of the Amherst Community,

As you may know, over the weekend The New York Times reported on a leaked Health and Human Services document showing that the Trump administration intends to withdraw protections extended under the previous administration to transgender people. This they would do by defining “sex” as biologically fixed at birth and immutable and by having the Justice Department issue new guidance under Title IX, removing protections for those whose identity does not conform to the sex assigned at birth. If successful, this change would make those whose self-identification does not align with the supposedly fixed binary of male at birth or female at birth vulnerable to discrimination under Title IX guidance. To all the students, staff, and faculty who would be directly affected by this rollback, I want to offer unequivocal assurance that Amherst is committed to your rights, your dignity, and your wellbeing on this campus and that will not change. There is more that needs to be done to ensure your sense of wellbeing and belonging and we will continue that work. The Queer Resource Center (QRC) will hold a gathering tomorrow, Wednesday, 10/24, at 5:30 p.m. in Keefe Campus Center for those who would benefit from an opportunity to offer one another support. Dina Levi, Director of Inclusive Leadership, will also hold space tomorrow in the Powerhouse at noon. I ask that everyone in the community, regardless of your perspectives on sex and gender, think of ways to show your support of students, staff, and faculty in our trans, non-binary, and larger LGBTQ communities.

Fall Update from President Biddy Martin to the Amherst Community

Sept. 20, 2018

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Parents, and Friends,

Many of you are accustomed to long messages from me. For those of you who are new to my communications, I offer a friendly warning that this letter is long, a reflection of how much is going on at the College.